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Turkish Health Insurance for Expats: SGK vs Private in 2026
You need valid health insurance to get a residence permit in Turkey, full stop. Here is the actual difference between SGK and private cover, what it costs by age, and the one age-related gap that catches people out.
Two paths: SGK or private insurance
SGK (Sosyal Guvenlik Kurumu) is Turkey’s public social security system. It is generally tied to formal employment or specific voluntary-contribution routes, and enrollment can take time to process — not ideal when you are racing a residence permit deadline.
Private health insurance is what most new arrivals actually use for their first permit. It is faster to buy, the policy documents are issued immediately, and it is accepted by the immigration office as long as it is from an approved Turkish insurer and covers the full length of your permit.
The over-65 exception
Private insurers in Turkey are restricted in how they can price and cover applicants over 65, which in practice makes standard private policies hard or impossible to get at that age. Immigration offices are generally aware of this gap and often waive the insurance requirement for applicants over 65 — but this is handled case by case at your local office, so confirm it before you apply rather than assuming it.
What it actually costs
Private health insurance pricing in Turkey scales with age, and the jump is not gradual — it steepens noticeably after 50. Expect roughly $150–300/year in your 20s and 30s, $300–600/year through your 40s and 50s, and considerably more from 60 onward if a policy is available at all.
Get quotes from at least two or three approved insurers before buying — pricing and what is actually covered varies more between providers than most people expect.
What is required for your residence permit
Your policy needs to cover the entire duration of the residence permit you are applying for, not just the first year, and it needs to be uploaded as part of your e-Ikamet application before your appointment. If your insurance lapses partway through your permit, that is a real problem at renewal time — set a reminder to renew it before it expires, not after.
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Book a free call →This article is general information as of 2026, not insurance or legal advice. Pricing, insurer approval status, and age-related rules can change — confirm your specific situation with an approved Turkish insurer or your local immigration office.